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MORE ABOUT CINEVERSE

CineVerse is a weekly film discussion group that explores the universe of cinema. We meet every Wednesday from 7-10 p.m. in Oak Lawn, Ill. at Oak View Center (4625 W. 110th St., click here for directions) in the theater or the room announced on building signage. At every meeting, we discuss a different movie, chosen by our members on a rotating basis. CineVerse is open to anyone 17 years and older. To join our group or for more info, e-mail Erik the founder/moderator at cineversegroup@gmail.com

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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Few films are as unashamedly sentimental as "Field of Dreams," which attempts to elevate the game of baseball to the heavenly realm of the ethereal and serve as a wish fulfillment fairtyale for adults. Despite its mawkish inclinations, the movie proves to be an irresistible charmer to those who don't have a heart of stone. Here's our group's take on this 25-year-old baseball diamond in the rough:

WHAT DID YOU FIND REFRESHING,
SURPRISING, OR EVEN DISAPPOINTING ABOUT “FIELD OF DREAMS”?

It’s unabashedly wistful and nostalgic for a bygone, simpler
time.

It is, as writer Emanuel Levy put it, “typical of many 1980s
movies in its peculiar blend of countercultural and traditional values.”
This is a film, like The Big Chill and others of this period, that depicts
the mellowing of the Baby Boomers and Flower Power generation, as they
assimilate more conservative values in their middle ages.

Despite its utopian vision and dreamy, ethereal atmosphere, it serves
as a peculiar promotion of capitalism as an important and essential American
value. Ray follows his vision, and is rewarded by being able to capitalize
monetarily on the fulfillment of his dreams.

HOW DOES THIS FILM COMPARE
WITH OTHER FAMOUS BASEBALL FILMS LIKE THE NATURAL, PRIDE OF THE YANKEES, EIGHT
MEN OUT, FEAR STRIKES OUT, ETC.?

This doesn’t showcase much real baseball playing
or games; but it does feature actual legends of the game (Shoeless Joe,
etc.) and it romanticizes the game and is imbued with a wistfulness and
sentimentality that can appear corny to some.

THIS MOVIE IS LESS ABOUT
BASEBALL AND MORE ABOUT WHAT?

·The power of
redemption and getting a second chance—a second chance to spend time with a
loved one (Ray and his dad), to satisfy an unfulfilled wish (Moonlight), to
right a longtime injustice on the baseball field.